Project Management Institute(PMI) has said collaboration with certified project managers can go a long way in easing Nigeria’s built environment challenges.
A statement by PMI noted that Nigeria had a large infrastructure deficit, with total infrastructure stock amounting to 30 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, which was short of the 70 per cent international benchmark set by the World Bank.
The statement said that to improve skills and meet complex demands in today’s evolving built environment, PMI had created the Construction Professional in Built Environment Projects, a globally recognised certification for project managers involved in infrastructure and construction management.
The PMI-CP certification was designed for industry professionals looking to sharpen or develop skills for existing or future opportunities in the built environment.
The certification covered the domains of project communication, scope and change order management, interface management, performance and materials management, contract and risk management, technology and innovation, and execution planning.
The Managing Director of PMI in Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, said the effective development of infrastructure projects involved synergy between multiple sectors and stakeholders and effective oversight and coordination of various aspects and stages of projects.
He said: “Projects are at the core of development. Dubai, a standout performer in the United Arab Emirates, is a good example of how successful project identification, preparation, and implementation can support economic growth, create jobs and attract foreign investment.
“Certified project managers can help improve the quality and efficiency of infrastructure projects in Nigeria. They can help to ensure that projects are completed on time, on budget, and to the required standards.”
He noted that a shortage of skilled project professionals meant poor planning and implementation, resulting in inefficient stakeholder coordination and integration.
He added: “As a consequence, the need for certified project managers becomes even more expedient if the country is to close the yawning infrastructure gap with the rest of the world. The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria has acceded to this by describing Nigeria as a “project managers’ graveyard.
“Fundamentally, the PMI-CP certification instills a culture of ensuring project adherence to standards and requirements to improve the dependability and durability of infrastructure assets.
“Which is imperative, especially in the Nigerian context, with multi-billion-dollar projects on the anvil. As the construction industry evolves, the need for qualified professionals to manage complex construction projects will become more urgent.”
